伦敦大学高级研究学院英语研究所

The history of the book is concerned with the making, manufacturing, distribution and reading of books, and thus offers a unique way of understanding different literary, cultural, social, intellectual, and technological processes in history.

The subject extends to include newspapers, magazines, chapbooks, ephemera, digital text, and all kinds of printed or written media. It also includes the manuscript book in all its forms from the pre-classical, classical, and medieval periods.

The University of London’s MA degree in the History of the Book is the oldest postgraduate programme in this growing area in the humanities. Each year the Institute of English Studies (IES) welcomes a range of students from varied educational and professional backgrounds and from many different countries.

The University’s location in central London provides easy access to unrivalled library and museum resources, and the programme draws on a range of tutors, each of whom are international experts in their field. There are opportunities to undertake placement work in the rare book trade or libraries and archives sector.

This programme can also lead to the award of an MRes degree. All of our graduates are awarded a University of London degree.

How will this degree benefit me?

In this programme we explore the different material forms the book has taken over time, from clay tablets to computer screens. Core courses provide a comprehensive overview of the book from the medieval period to the present day. Optional courses allow for in-depth analysis of the history of specific components of the book, such as bindings, and book illustration, as well as focused courses on key topics, including textual editing, digital publishing, and the history of reading. There is also an exciting opportunity to work as an intern in the London rare book trade or in a library or archive in or around London.

In addition to weekly taught seminars, you undertake a comprehensive induction week and a research methodology module, where you are introduced to the use of sources and resources in preparation for your coursework essays and dissertation.

Degree overview

The programme aims to:

• Give you a broad understanding of book history from the Medieval period to the present day, with opportunities to study the book in the ancient world and many international contexts.
• Introduce you to the range of disciplines that make up the subject, including bibliography and textual editing; palaeography and codicology; the history of authorship, publishing, and reading; and library history.
• Provide frequent opportunities to handle manuscripts, rare books, and other printed objects.
• Give you the ability and confidence to deal with primary sources for book history (both manuscript and printed).

Careers and further study

Many of our alumni go on to establish successful careers in related fields, including academic librarianship, museum curatorship, publishing, art, and the print and antiquarian book trade. Some students aim to progress to study at PhD level for a career in academia. Our programmes provide outstanding training in research skills and equip you with the intellectual framework and language proficiency to undertake independent research with confidence and success. Former students have progressed to PhD study at the Institute and elsewhere.